10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 18,207 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Upon starting the vehicle there was a loud backfire and visible smoke came out from under the hood. Further investigation showed that the plastic intake manifold was blown apart. There was a strong odor of raw fuel. I contacted a local Buick dealership and was told that there were no open campaigns concerning this vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility and have been told that the repair will cost in the range of $2000 - $2500 dollars.
- Houston, TX, USA
1998 Buick Park Avenue had the water pump, fuel pressure regulator, oil pressure switch, left door lock control bezel, tensioner pulley and bearing replaced.** answer required***. the gas gauge needle jumped past the full mark then all the way back around to empty. The plastic upper intake plenum was replaced because it had warped from the heat and started to leak.
- Eden Prairie, MN, USA
Consumer's vehicle didn't qualify for the recall because it came from a different plant. The recall was on the vehicle fuel presssure regulator.
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA
1998 Buick Park Avenue defective fuel pressure regulator. (leaking fuel regulators) on February 11, 2003, the fuel pressure regulator was replaced on the vehicle. The consumer found that recall# 03V473000 was issued. The consumer was denied reimbursement.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
Consumer requesting reimbursement for repairs made to 1998 Buick Park Avenue. The engine cranked and there was a loud bang exactly as the recall stated. Following the bang was a loud noise and white smoke that had come from the tail pipe. Anti freeze entered the engine and mixed with the oil. The engine was re-manufactured. The service dealer stated that the intake manifold was defective. The fuel pressure regulator was defective as well.
- Bayside, NY, USA
The consumer was denied reimbursement for repairs because the part wasn't covered under recall. The fuel pressure diaphragm leaked which occurred 10 months after the vehicle backfired with smoke coming from under the hood and broke the intake manifold that blew the cap off of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired but the service dealer had not replaced the fuel pressure regulator. The consumer was told by the mechanic to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer to replace the regulator, which he did. The consumer submitted a claim for damages which he paid for and the claim was denied because the part was not covered by the recall#03V473000.
- Bald Knob, AR, USA
Consumer denied reimbursement for repairs made prior to receiving recall notice. The recall was for the fuel pressure regulator (03V-473). The manufacturer claimed that the documentation that the consumer provided did not substantiated the request. The consumer resubmitted the claim for reimbursement.
- Leeds, AL, USA
Request reimbursement for repair made prior to learning of recall notice. The vehicle's fuel pressure regulator failed prior to recall notification (03V-473). The consumer submitted all necessary documentation for reimbursement but has not received any correspondence from the manufacturer regarding the status of his reimbursement.
- Rippon, WV, USA
The plastic upper intake manifold developed an internal crack, which leaked coolant into the combustion cylinders. The 3.8L V6 engine shut down and then hydrolocked. It was repaired by a certified Buick dealer. The day the vehicle was returned, within 20 miles of driving, the rear main bearing seal failed. The dealer felt it was caused by the coolant mixing with the oil. After this repair, the engine ran approximately 2000 miles and spun a main bearing, due to the coolant/oil mixture. This has been reported to Buick. They feel it is not their problem.
- Miamisburg, OH, USA
An independent shop replaced the intake manifold at the owner expense of $ $692. The manufacturer denied reimbursement for the recall. Consumer will provide a letter from the manufacturer why they denied the reimbursement.
- Butler, PA, USA
The consumer's vehicle had problem with the fuel oil pressure.
- Burton, MI, USA
When the gas tank was filled to high gas spilled over into the engine compartment. The dealer has been contacted. Please provide any additional information.
- Jeffersonville, IN, USA
Vehicle was sitting overnight when attempting to start it by turning key in ignition, and vehicle exploded and caught on fire in engine comparment. Vehicle was not a total loss. Fire was caused by an internal fuel leakage.
- Worcester, MA, USA
- West Bend, WI, USA